Steamship Shieldhall - The Architecture of Steam!

Shieldhall will be open on Heritage Open Day Sunday 14th September for pre-booked visits between 10am – 3pm at 110 Berth in the Western Docks, with an opportunity to tour the ship from Bridge to Boiler Room! Come and meet Shieldhall’s volunteer crew and learn about life aboard a heritage steamship.

Listed in the National Historic Fleet, Shieldhall was built and launched on the Clyde in 1955, to a classic pre-WW2 design. She carried treated sludge out to sea for the Glasgow Corporation and, in the summer, took passengers ‘doon the watter’ on pleasure trips. Sold to Southern Water in 1977, she was eventually sold in 1985, purchased by the charity that still maintain her today.

This Heritage Open Day, learn all about 'The Architecture of Steam.' As part of your visit, see the impressive engine room with its original steam engines and the bridge, with its traditional instruments and gleaming brasswork; admire the ship’s steam assisted steering gear (similar to that used on Titanic); talk to the Captain and our volunteer crew; walk the teak decks; relax in the Saloon with a range of refreshments including hot and cold food; tea / coffee; a range of bottled beers and wine, plus ice cream.

There is free parking available a 5 min walk from Shieldhall, with blue badge parking available close to the ship.

Later in the afternoon between 4pm – 6pm, Shieldhall will be undertaking a tour of Southampton’s Docks, for which tickets may be booked at www.ss-shieldhall.co.uk/bookings

Timings & Tours

Sunday 14 September:

10am - 3pm

Location & directions

Western Avenue, Western Docks, Southampton, Hampshire, SO15 0HH

Directions:

Shieldhall is located at Berth 110. Coming into the docks from Dock Gate 10 (From Southampton and the East) From Dock Gate 10, take the roundabout second exit and head in a westerly direction (West Bay Road). At the third roundabout (and level crossing) continue (now Western Avenue) past the dock, turning right when marked into the Shieldhall car park. You will have travelled nearly a mile from the Dock Gate entrance. Coming into the docks from Dock Gate 20 (From the M271 and the West) From Dock Gate 20, take the roundabout first exit and head eastwards. Follow the road (Western Avenue) turning left at DP World entrance and on to the next roundabout. Take the first exit (signed for Dock Gate 10) and then turn left when marked into the Shieldhall car park. You will have travelled nearly a mile from the Dock Gate entrance. Please note there are speed restrictions on the Docks road.

Contact on day:

Nigel Philpott, Ticket Manager

Telephone number:

+447769114271

Booking information

Pre-booking requirement:

Pre-booking required

Booking conditions:

Please book at:

Booking contact name:

Ticket Manager

Booking telephone number:

+442381550242

Booking email:

[email protected]

Booking website:

http://ss-shieldhall.co.uk/bookings/heritage-open-day-14092024

Booking opens:

25 Jul 2025 12:00 AM

Booking closes:

14 Sep 2025 12:00 AM

Accessibility details

Please visit the following link for Shieldhall's accessibility guide: https://ss-shieldhall.co.uk/bookings-page/ships-accessibility-guide/

Additional information

Max no of people per tour:

220

Est. tour duration:

1 hour(s) 30 minute(s)

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